Healing, Heartwarming, and Inspiring Historical Romance with Food! 古言美食文！治愈，温馨，励志~

1. 1 长 A Little Eatery in Chang'an 长安小饭馆 Cherry Cake樱桃糕Romance336k WordsCompleted "Completed in September 2019" For information on the reprinted edition, please visit Weibo @A Jin Jia De Ying Tao Gao Fine rain and a gentle breeze, a little shop with a blue banner, a beautiful foreign barmaid. Fine wine from Xinfeng, tender greens and bamboo shoots, golden pickled fish. Lin Yan, Assistant Prefect of the Capital, turns his attention to the landlady, whose skin is as white as snow and whose eyes are like apricots. It’s truly sad and pitiful for a highborn lady to have fallen s 307.6kFavorites626.6kClicks/ch170.5kGifts

   Curator note

   The food section is quite extensive and visually appealing, but since it mainly focuses on running a restaurant, the food descriptions aren't very detailed. The romance plot follows the typical formula of most food-themed novels: the male lead falls for her and goes to great lengths, haha, while the female lead is oblivious and gradually comes to her senses.

2. 2 东 The Eastern Palace's Blessed Concubine (Qing Dynasty) 东宫福妾（清穿） The Southern Wind Never Ends南风不尽Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [The print edition goes on presale at 7:00 p.m. on March 28, with a limited number of copies featuring special author signatures! The print edition also includes several exclusive bonus chapters. If you love A Wan and the Crown Prince, go check it out!] After working herself to the bone for 996 years, Cheng Wanyun finally dropped dead from exhaustion. She transmigrated, but before she could enjoy the good life for more than a few days, she was assigned the lowly title of a palace maid in the Yu 177.4kFavorites427.7kClicks/ch410.6kGifts

   Curator note

   The romance and food storylines are evenly split; the male lead dotes on the female lead a lot, while the female lead is somewhat laid-back, not competitive but not easily bullied. It has a touch of fantasy; the male lead only experiences precognitive dreams when he's around the female lead. The female lead is a lazy bum at home, spending her free time tinkering with food and occasionally offering modern ideas to the court. It's a heartwarming story about everyday family life.

3. 3 国 The Imperial College Cafeteria 国子监小食堂 Pale Green Mountain青山白白Romance764k WordsCompleted [Coming soon: Raising Little Ones in Ancient Times Again (Food), please add it to your reading list~] Meng Sang was born into the world and raised in the mountains, where she lived a carefree, happy life with her parents. One day, she went to Chang’an to find her maternal grandfather. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find him, and first had to figure out how to make a living. By a twist of fate, she ended up at the Imperial College and became an “ordinary” little cook. The Imperial College was 164.8kFavorites333.7kClicks/ch136.1kGifts

   Curator note

   There's a lot of food in the story, and the romance is also quite good. The female lead works in the cafeteria, so she spends her days thinking about food. I didn't finish watching it; personally, I prefer the business aspect.

4. 4 边 The Little Chef at the Frontier 边关小厨娘 Rice Ball Invasion团子来袭Romance782k WordsCompleted My ongoing novel, The Crown Princess of a Fallen Kingdom, is ready to read~ Click into my author page to find it~ When Jiang Yanyi, heir to an old hotpot restaurant, opened her eyes, she discovered she had transmigrated into an old-fashioned romance novel as the vicious supporting female character. Worse, after framing the heroine, she was exiled to a military camp on the frontier and made into a plaything for the soldiers' amusement. She touched the scar on her forehead, left by the original 146.1kFavorites382.6kClicks/ch119.6kGifts

   Curator note

   The romance storyline will have a larger impact, and the food aspect will focus on running a restaurant. The male lead has a special kind of quirky personality; he can only taste food when he's close to the female lead, hahaha, it's really quite tragic. The later parts shifted towards the romance, and the female lead had a tough time, but the story wasn't very inspiring; the male lead basically acted as her protector and helped her.

5. 5 古 A Foodie's Guide to Surviving in Ancient Times 古代吃货生存指南 Cola Ginger Soup可乐姜汤Romance425k WordsCompleted [This book has been picked up for print publication. It comes out next year. _(:з"∠)_] Jiang Shuyao transmigrates into the body of a vicious noblewoman with a striking face and vulgar, flashy tastes. After throwing tantrums and acting shamelessly, she married the most handsome young man in the capital. Her husband despises her, her mother-in-law dislikes her, and her brothers- and sisters-in-law look down on her. Jiang Shuyao is at a loss for tears. But there's nothing in the world that a bowl o 112.1kFavorites337.3kClicks/ch91.6kGifts

   Curator note

   This is really good, I love watching it whenever I have free time. The female lead is like a little sun, healing everyone around her. There's a lot of food in the story, and the romance is also great. The male lead and supporting characters are all quite adorable. There aren't any villains; it's mostly about food and everyday family life. The author described many delicious dishes in detail, focusing on their preparation, color, aroma, and taste, primarily through the indirect description of how others tasted and appreciated the food.

6. 6 穿 Building a Fortune After Becoming a Convict's Consort in Exile 穿成流放罪妃后的发家生活 Soft and Graceful柔桡轻曼Romance828k WordsCompleted [Complete!] Coming soon: Notes on Life as a Commoner's Daughter. Blurb: After orphan Xu Qinyu wins the title of world-class master chef, an accident leaves her waking up as the second daughter of the Marquis of Dechang. She's been ordered to marry in place of her cousin. The second daughter has a hard life. She is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Marquis of Dechang's family, but her father is the least favored of his siblings, with an older 83kFavorites204.9kClicks/ch64.1kGifts

   Curator note

   This book has a good balance between food and romance, and it's very enjoyable. The female protagonist also started from a small stall and then opened a shop. The descriptions of how to cook the food and its appearance, aroma, and taste are not particularly detailed; the focus is mainly on managing the shop and making it bigger and stronger. The romance between the male and female leads in this book is quite enjoyable; it unfolds gradually, from friends to budding romance to finally confirming their feelings and falling in love. The author handles the romance well.

7. 7 真 The Real Heiress's Laid-Back Days (Food) 真千金咸鱼日常（美食） Ling Younian凌又年Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Next up: “The Male Lead’s Wicked Eldest Sister-in-Law in an Imperial Exam Novel,” sunshine girl x sweet on the outside, dark within] Mu Zhaochao transmigrated into a book, becoming the cannon-fodder biological daughter in a novel about a real and fake heiress. In the original story, the fake heiress was beautiful, talented, and the most admired woman in the capital. Her childhood-sweetheart romance with the male lead, her cousin, was the envy of all. Raised in the countryside, Mu Zhaochao cou 49.8kFavorites151.4kClicks/ch28kGifts

   Curator note

   The romance and food elements are roughly equal, but the food descriptions aren't very detailed because the female lead has a special ability that focuses on management, like running a guesthouse? It's the kind that includes food and entertainment but not accommodation, haha, I can't quite put my finger on it. The female lead has a cheat code at the start, and the male lead is a loyal and devoted lover who adores her. I used to enjoy reading stories about real and fake heiresses, haha, because I liked seeing the female lead slap her brainless family members in the face.

8. 8 摄 The Regent's Daily Life After His Identity Is Exposed (Food) 摄政王掉马日常（美食） Ling Younian凌又年Romance736k WordsCompleted [Next book: "The Little Farmer Girl's Daily Life of Finding Orphans (Food)".] Blurb: Meng Wantao transmigrated into a story about rising from humble beginnings, becoming an irrelevant passerby, Extra A: an orphan from the Third Branch of the Chengyu Earl's household. Her parents had died early, and her birth mother had never been favored by her grandmother. She was practically invisible, kept at a farmstead outside the capital year-round. Even the maids in the household who enjoyed some standin 47.6kFavorites93.4kClicks/ch18kGifts

   Curator note

   The romance is the main focus, with food making up about half the story, though not in a detailed way. The female lead is a time traveler, so she's experimenting with modern cuisine in ancient times, and her food is so delicious that it attracts the male lead, haha! The romantic storyline involves strangers, friends, and a gradual progression from ambiguous feelings to developing genuine affection—a very normal dating relationship. The female protagonist simply farms, cooks, eats, and plays on her own estate—it's very therapeutic and relaxing.

9. 9 明 Little Tastes of Life in the Ming Palace 明宫小食光 Brilliant Galaxy银河灿烂Romance351k WordsCompleted If transmigrating were a gacha game, Zhang Xianling would definitely have pulled an SSR. She transmigrated into the empress of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming, the heroine from the legendary "one husband, one wife, Emperor and Empress couple" story. Court intrigue? Not a chance. There won't be any women for her to fight with in this lifetime. She doesn't know how to flirt with the emperor, either. She can only pass the time by eating and drinking, playing and having fun. But as she ate and ate, the 46.2kFavorites124.5kClicks/ch24.4kGifts

   Curator note

   Food wasn't a major focus, less than half the story; the romance developed naturally, and the female lead adapted to ancient times quite quickly. Because the female lead is a time traveler, and her status after time travel is very high, her main role is to provide modern ideas and practices, and then instruct her subordinates to carry them out. It leans towards depicting the female protagonist's achievements in ancient times after her time travel, and secondly, it focuses on everyday family life.

10. 10 从 Becoming a Chef, Starting with Scallion Pancakes 从摊煎饼开始当厨神 Rice Cake and Vermicelli Soup年糕粉丝汤Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Jian Yuqing was transmigrated into the womb and only remembered her past life when she became gravely ill. It turned out she had entered a political intrigue novel, becoming the most insignificant cannon fodder of all: the sort who appeared in the villain's memories for just one episode. Her mother, who would one day die of illness from overwhelming grief, was still alive. Her younger brother, who would one day murder his brother-in-law's entire family to avenge someone, was alive. And her youn 38.6kFavorites76.5kClicks/ch29.3kGifts

    Curator note

    The story features a large amount of food, described in great detail, with recipes, colors, aromas, and flavors all vividly portrayed – it looks incredibly tempting! The students' praise and love for food is very heartwarming, and they are extremely protective of the female lead. There's no romance yet, but it's very heartwarming. The female lead is intelligent and resourceful, leading her family from scratch. She has modern perspectives and evokes sympathy for the plight of women in ancient times; she's very kind.

11. 11 帮 After Helping Kangxi Raise His Kids, I Became the Nation's Favorite [Qing Dynasty Transmigration] 帮康熙养崽后我成了举国团宠（清穿） A Thousand Suns Set the Plains Ablaze千阳燎原Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [The novel is complete! Welcome to my author page, and add my new novel, "The Marquis's Little Darling's Thoughts Are Leaked, Turning the Nation's Fate Around," to your collection!] After Nan Yin transmigrated to the Qing Dynasty, she took on a job while participating in the selection of imperial consorts: looking after all of Kangxi's sons and daughters. As a former orphanage director, Nan Yin was a natural at raising children: The eldest prince wouldn't eat? Fried chicken legs, roasted ribs, 22.9kFavorites53.1kClicks/ch23.3kGifts

    Curator note

    This is supposed to be a heartwarming story, with the main focus on taking care of children. Food doesn't take up much of the content; it's mostly about making new and interesting meals for the kids. The writing is very detailed and insightful regarding children's education, and the female lead, with her upright background, chooses to cultivate the favor of Emperor Kangxi's children instead of following the system's path of becoming a favored concubine. This is a novel and enjoyable approach. There's not much of a romance storyline; the main focus is on raising children. The epilogue is set after they've grown up.

12. 12 七 A Little Bundle of Luck in the 1970s 七十年代小福包 Springwater Blue春水蓝Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Coming soon: I Have a Child in the 1970s. Chen Fengxia sold Baoya, saying she was stupid and couldn't do any work. Later, Baoya, who had wandered off, ended up with the Song family, where she was spoiled rotten. Not only did she get delicious hand-pulled noodles and fish soup so tasty it made you bite your tongue, but no one ever called her stupid again. They all said she was a lucky little darling. Baoya happily showed her tiny baby teeth. Everyone in the v 13.9kFavorites58.2kClicks/ch10.3kGifts

    Curator note

    Food doesn't take up a large portion of the story; it's only mentioned occasionally when the female lead's family is eating. However, the story primarily focuses on the female lead's childhood, making her very cute and heartwarming. As a child, she was quite pitiful and possessed a special ability—the ability to have precognitive dreams. The romance develops later in the story, focusing on her love life as an adult.

13. 13 锦 The Brocade Guard’s Guide to Winning Over His Wife (Food) 锦衣卫蹲妻手札（美食） Zi Shan Zhi梓山止Romance347k WordsCompleted My next book is a food-and-mystery novel, I Stir-Fry My Way to Riches in the Capital. Please add it to your reading list! See the pinned comment for the blurb. Hardworking little chef × picky, spoiled young master Ever since Yuanniang first picked up a ladle, her greatest wish had been to sample every delicacy under heaven and follow the flavors in her memories to find the parents she had lost. And so, Shuntian gained a capable, efficient head chef. Fresh and tender spring bamboo shoots in s 5kFavorites11.5kClicks/ch2kGifts

    Curator note

    There's a significant amount of food in the story, with fairly detailed descriptions of how the dishes are prepared, their colors, aromas, and flavors. The interactions between the male and female leads also take up a lot of screen time, as you can tell from the title. The romance is kind of like a sudden attraction, haha. There are also some detective elements. Besides the delicious food, what kept me watching was how the female lead reunited with her family. However, it was somewhat disappointing; personally, and only personally, I didn't really like it because the female lead's identity was taken over by the secondary love interest. Although there was a reason for it, it felt very forced. But the secondary love interest was a very nice and kind girl. I don't think this book will focus much on the food; I'll be more interested in the main plot.

14. 14 珍 The Gourmet Chef 珍馐小厨娘 Seven Liang of Gold七两金Romance737k WordsOngoing [New Novel Coming Soon: I’m at the Border, but I Opened a Restaurant] is on my profile. Dancing my heart out to beg for your favorites! Shen Ying was planning the opening of her own restaurant when she woke up one day and discovered she had transmigrated. From the start, all she had was a rickety, rundown thatched hut. Her mother was frail and timid, her younger siblings were sickly and underfed, and even the yellow dog tied up outside was skin and bones. To feed her family of five, all of the 4.8kFavorites9.2kClicks/ch6kGifts

    Curator note

    Food plays a large part of the story, and there's no romance plot yet; the male lead is still just a background character. The female protagonist is a time traveler with a relevant major, and the food descriptions are really mouthwatering, with detailed descriptions of the cooking methods, colors, aromas, and flavors. The female lead is purely career-oriented, single-mindedly focused on becoming stronger and bigger; I really like this kind of female lead. Moreover, the female lead is very clever and resourceful, and the villains are the eldest son's family. What's interesting is the contrast between the independent and career-minded female lead and the eldest daughter of the first wife, who is always waiting to marry a scholar's daughter, creating a juxtaposition of the lives of modern and ancient women. However, it seems that the eldest daughter isn't particularly keen on marrying either, mainly because of her mother, a truly wicked person. I really enjoy reading stories where the female lead opens and runs her own shop, and her family is very supportive and loving.

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